4th of July – Celebrating something far greater than the Bible

“The foundation of our Empire was not laid in the gloomy age of Ignorance and Superstition, but at an Epoch when the rights of mankind were better understood and more clearly defined, than at any former period, the researches of the human mind, after social happiness, have been carried to a great extent, the Treasures of knowledge, acquired by the labours of Philosophers, Sages and Legislatures, through a long succession of years, are laid open for our use, and their collected wisdom may be happily applied in the Establishment of our forms of Government”
George Washington, Circular to the States, June 8, 1783

In 1783, George Washington is claiming that the rights of mankind were better understood and more clearly defined than any former period. Why is this? The labor of philosophers, sages and legislatures through a long succession of many years. If the Bible is the divine source of human rights, and the book hasn’t changed since publication of selected copies of copies of writings without concrete origins and suspect authors well over a thousand years ago, how can social progress be attributed to it? And what age of ignorance and superstition was Washington referring to? Surely not an age where men were guided by a divinely inspired book.

In 2014, shouldn’t we now have an even greater understanding of, and more clearly defined human rights than what was established in the United States Constitution? Since 1783 we now have Amendments making slavery illegal and granting the right to vote for minorities and women. Don’t expect to find equal rights and the condemning of slavery in the Old or New Testament. Our modern society is due to progress, and it by no means came from the static Bible. It came from the greatest moral reasoning of mankind which has progressed and must continue to do so.

Secularism means people of all faiths are able to live together in peace without governmental favoritism or oppression. Secularism means the law is blind towards religion, no religious privilege. The First Commandment of the Bible dictates worshiping one specific god. The First Amendment dictates that people are free to choose what to worship if anything. That is religious freedom.

Secularism is not evil, secularism is good. Don’t erect the Ten Commandments in front of a court room, put up the Ten Amendments. Don’t allow activist judges to molest our laws with religious handouts. Don’t allow fanatics to take our country backwards. Don’t allow religious bigotry and special privilege to pass as freedom and disgrace our national heritage.

Happy 4th of July!

Declaration of Independence

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.

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Meet The Blogger

James Kirk Wall

James Kirk Wall engages in the battle of reason over superstition along with countless other free thinkers dead and living. He’s written two books on secular philosophy and hundreds of blogs criticizing the moral and intellectual flaws of religion and promoting independent thought, science and human progress. Jim has been featured in radio, television and newspaper. This philosopher, author and atheist is available for debate and public speaking. Jim can be contacted at jameskirkwall@yahoo.com.